A nine-year-old boy has written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon asking for help to save his local park in Dumfries.

The Noblehill Primary pupil is one of hundreds of people calling on the council to listen to residents when it comes to development plans for Parkhead.

Tom wrote: “Dear Nicola. I am writing to you to save my park. I know that people need houses but children need somewhere to play and I don’t know where my friends and me will play if houses are built on Parkhead. I think the council must have made a mistake in selling Parkhead. Can you help save it?”

His mum Tracey Marshall said in an accompanying email to Ms Sturgeon: “We need your help. My son asked me to write to you after a day spent sledging at Parkhead. He was sad that this might be the last time he gets to sledge there. Surely a mistake must have been made?

“I have three children, two are now young adults and one nine years old. All my boys have spent countless summer days and evenings over at Parkhead running free, building dens, climbing trees or playing football.

“In this technological age I feel it is so important for my little boy to get outside in the fresh air and get exercise in a safe environment, away from traffic. I fear that if our campaign to Save Parkhead is unsuccessful then this will be the last year that Tom and countless other children will be able to access open space near their homes.”

Councillors were asked to approve a local development plan which included earmarking a green-space site at Noblehill for housing. The area at Parkhead was sold by the council to social landlord DGHP.

But the decision was put off until the middle of this month to let members consider the plan fully before it goes out for an eight-week public consultation.

People from the area are being invited to an emergency surgery tonight organised by MSP Emma Harper and Nith Ward councillor John Campbell.

Taking place at Noblehill Community Centre between 6pm and 7pm, the surgery was arranged after the politicians received letters and emails from constituents concerned about the changes being proposed to the local development plan.

Ms Harper said: “I’m very familiar with this area as it’s where I walk my own dogs and I have seen how well used this land is by a number of different groups, from young children through to elderly people, dog walkers and sports clubs.

“A Scottish Government planning advice note stresses the invaluable contribution open space makes to quality of life and specifically it encourages the planning system to protect areas that are valuable and valued.

“Campaigners argue that the current draft of the plan will encourage development on the valued open space in Parkhead, rather than protect it.

“This surgery is a chance for residents to speak about their concerns and I’d urge everyone with an interest to attend.”